Falcons Soar Past Pointers In Semifinals

The University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point went into halftime down by 15 to the University of Wisconsin – River Falls on Friday and could not get back in the game. The host Falcons had three players score in double digits en route to a 76-51 win in the semifinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

Midway through the first period the Falcons went on a 12-2 run to extend their lead to 17 with just under four minutes remaining in the half. The Pointers shot under 30 percent from the field on nine of 31 shooting while the Falcons went 16 of 24 during the first half.
The Falcons had a 20-point advantage in the paint during the first half led by junior forward Ollie White. Senior center Jordan Brezinski led the Pointers in scoring with 20 points on the night but River Falls was able to get a 38-23 lead going into the break.
River Falls also outshot the Pointers from behind the arc during the first half, converting on three of five attempts while Point completed just two of seven. The Falcons would continue the domination going into the second half scoring 10 unanswered to open.

It took just over five minutes before River Falls gained a 28-point advantage, their largest lead of the night, which they reached twice. After the strong second half start by the Falcons, the Pointers were only able to bring the deficit down to 22.

Point increased their shooting to just over 42 percent during the second half, but River Falls shot over 51 percent from the field.

The loss did not affect the postseason chance of UWSP as they found out Monday that their 20-7 record was enough to send them to Michigan for the NCAA DIII Tournament. Point will face Illinois Wesleyan University from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Over the course of the regular season, the Pointers averaged over 70 points per game while allowing just over 64. Junior guard Tyler Tillema and brother and senior guard Dan led the Pointers in scoring this season averaging around 17 points per game each.

The Tillema brothers, Brezinski and junior guard Jordan Giordana all made the All-WIAC team this season. The Tillemas made First Team while Brezinski made Honorable Mention and Giordana made the All-Sportsmanship Team.

Other notable WIAC members in the tournament include the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater who faces Northwestern (MN) and River Falls, who is set to take on Edgewood College. The Pointers will tip off at 5:30 p.m. in Holland, Michigan, Friday.

Andy Hesse

Reporter

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